Dubai sends aid to Indonesia earthquake and tsunami victims

A flight has left Dubai carrying emergency aid for hundreds of thousands of Indonesians affected by last month's earthquake and tsunami.

Princess Haya of Jordan, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, shared photos of an Emirates plane being loaded with relief on Sunday. The transportation costs were paid for by Sheikh Mohammed, an Instagram post by the IHC revealed.

In a tweet, Princess Haya said the 92 metric tonnes of supplies were facilitated by the Dubai International Humanitarian City, of which she is chairwoman, on behalf of Unicef. She said the aid would "provide essential equipment and support to those who need it most."

A flight carrying emergency shelter for the people affected by the Indonesian earthquake has left Dubai.

These supplies facilitated by the IHC on behalf of Unicef will provide essential equipment and support to those who need it most. pic.twitter.com/ryMB3sjl1K
— HRH Princess Haya (@hrhprincesshaya)
October 14, 2018

On September 28, powerful earthquakes jolted the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, destroying homes and killing thousands. Almost 1,500 people were confirmed dead and more than 2,500 injured after the 7.5-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that barrelled into the island soon after.

The United Nations has pledged $15 million (Dh55m) from its emergency response fund. The Red Cross is sending ships loaded with supplies including field kitchens, tents, body bags and mosquito nets.

Indonesia sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire", the world's most tectonically active region, and its 260 million people are vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.